One of the architectural gems of Grand Ledge had an unfortunately short life, but remains of it can still be seen today. The ornate Goodrich Block was the pride of the town during its short life.
It was most likely Chauncey Goodrich who was responsible for building the Goodrich Block. Chauncey was born in New York about 1808. He moved his wife Lydia and children to Michigan in about 1856. They first settled on a farm in Delhi Township. In the 1860s the family moved to a larger farm in Oneida Township.
At about this same time, Goodrich bought a double parcel at the corner of Bridge and River Streets. During this early stage in the development of downtown all other stores were built of wood, some little more the plank shacks. Goodrich decided to construct his new block of brick. When a structure was one storefront wide it was called a “Building” when it was two or more storefronts wide it was called a “Block”- as in a block of stores.
The Goodrich Block was easily the most magnificent structure in town. It was approximately 50 feet square and three stories tall. Built in the Second Empire Style, the third storey featured a wonderful mansard roof covered in patterned slate tiles and cast iron cresting. Mansard roofs have always been rare in Grand Ledge, and this was the first and most grand.
In addition to the two storefronts (at 200 and 202 S. Bridge) the building housed many offices on the second floor and a community meeting hall on the third floor. The Masons, Oddfellows, and Grangers all held meetings here. The building was in such demand that within just a few years of opening a two-storey addition was added to the rear of the building, doubling it in size.
Tragically the Goodrich Block met its end in December 1876. Flames were discovered in the grocery store of George Coryell at 202 S. Bridge around midnight. Although the fire station was nearby, the fire engine was useless. The fire brigade had been practicing that afternoon and left water in the fire hose causing it to freeze solid. The fire raged on and destroyed not only the Goodrich Block but most of the wooden buildings on that side of the street in the block. While trying to remove goods from the Hixon Grocery Store, Benny Smith was trapped and killed in the conflagration.
Within a few months merchants began to rebuild the area with the brick stores that stand today. The cellars of the Goodrich Block were left behind after the fire and were boarded over for a time. Within a couple years a new building was built on the corner. This was later followed by its twin next door at 202 S. Bridge. The stone basement under 200-202 S. Bridge is still in use today and is all that remains of the magnificent Goodrich Block that it once supported.
It was most likely Chauncey Goodrich who was responsible for building the Goodrich Block. Chauncey was born in New York about 1808. He moved his wife Lydia and children to Michigan in about 1856. They first settled on a farm in Delhi Township. In the 1860s the family moved to a larger farm in Oneida Township.
At about this same time, Goodrich bought a double parcel at the corner of Bridge and River Streets. During this early stage in the development of downtown all other stores were built of wood, some little more the plank shacks. Goodrich decided to construct his new block of brick. When a structure was one storefront wide it was called a “Building” when it was two or more storefronts wide it was called a “Block”- as in a block of stores.
The Goodrich Block was easily the most magnificent structure in town. It was approximately 50 feet square and three stories tall. Built in the Second Empire Style, the third storey featured a wonderful mansard roof covered in patterned slate tiles and cast iron cresting. Mansard roofs have always been rare in Grand Ledge, and this was the first and most grand.
In addition to the two storefronts (at 200 and 202 S. Bridge) the building housed many offices on the second floor and a community meeting hall on the third floor. The Masons, Oddfellows, and Grangers all held meetings here. The building was in such demand that within just a few years of opening a two-storey addition was added to the rear of the building, doubling it in size.
Tragically the Goodrich Block met its end in December 1876. Flames were discovered in the grocery store of George Coryell at 202 S. Bridge around midnight. Although the fire station was nearby, the fire engine was useless. The fire brigade had been practicing that afternoon and left water in the fire hose causing it to freeze solid. The fire raged on and destroyed not only the Goodrich Block but most of the wooden buildings on that side of the street in the block. While trying to remove goods from the Hixon Grocery Store, Benny Smith was trapped and killed in the conflagration.
Within a few months merchants began to rebuild the area with the brick stores that stand today. The cellars of the Goodrich Block were left behind after the fire and were boarded over for a time. Within a couple years a new building was built on the corner. This was later followed by its twin next door at 202 S. Bridge. The stone basement under 200-202 S. Bridge is still in use today and is all that remains of the magnificent Goodrich Block that it once supported.
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